How water scarcity is leading to exodus from villages, women risking their lives for each bucket

The first photograph shows how women are risking their lives for water.

It is scary, how these women are balancing themselves, as they get down to the bottom of the well to fetch water.

The water level has gone down in the region and there is no option. This is a well in Betul. The women get down, sometime hand over pitcher to the lady who is in the middle and later water is carried home.

When a newspaper here or there publishes a report, sometime the local administration takes cognisance and an electricity motor is installed or some temporary arrangement is made--few tankers to the village.

But this is not a long-term solution for water crisis. The water table has receded, water bodies drying up, hand pumps and tube wells fail in summer and there is still no focus on how to save water.

As a result, vast areas in rural MP (as in other states) are suffering. People are leaving villages, as there is no water source. How long can they spend entire day--getting water from another town on bullock-cart and then guarding it?

Sadly, the policy-makers, planners, politicians remain oblivious to the situation. The administration feels that once there is rain, things would improve. But the situation has reached an extremely worrying situation, and if we don't wake up, the situation would be impossible to deal with, in a few years.

#Water
#WaterWoes
#PhotoProject

Greenery in Bhopal: Beautiful mornings with book and cuppa in the balcony

Bhopal is still one of the greenest cities in India.

The green cover has depleted in the last few decades, still, it remains a city of trees and lakes.

During the rains, Bhopal becomes even more beautiful.

As I get up in the morning and go to the balcony, the expanse of lush greenery welcomes me.

All around, it's trees and green of all shades. For bird-watchers, it is also a treat to live in this city. And the tea is also special--it's Lamsa, the flavour from the Deccan.

Of course, what's the best way to start your day. If you have time, a book by your side, absorbing the words while sipping the chaai.

Happy Janmashtami: Rare paintings depicting Lord Krishna's childhood, youth

On the occasion of Janmashtami, here are some rare paintings of Lord Krishna.

This is a rare, old painting. It shows Vasudev carrying Lord Krishna, the baby, and crossing the river.

Vasudev crosses the river, on way from Mathura to Vrindavan.

The other paintings show Krishna's childhood, his youth and his playing with the gopis.

The second painting is even more rare. I got them from different sources, if anyone has any idea about source, do tell me so that I can give credit.

It shows Krishna, the child, trying to catch the moon while holding mother's hand, as he sees its reflection in water.

The third picture is Mughal painting, which shows Krishna with the Gopis. To all my friends, Happy Janmashtami.